Sarah Polley, star of The Sweet Hereafter and Go, takes the role of Ann, a working class mother of two who lives with her unemployed husband (Scott Speedman) in a trailer. Forced to think about her life for the first time when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she decides to make a list of all the things she wants to do before she dies. This includes getting a new haircut, making birthday messages for her daughters, finding her husband a new wife and making love to another man.
There is a refreshing naturalism to Polley's performance and she is supported by a talented cast. It's just a shame that the likes of Speedman and Mark Ruffalo, as the two men in Ann's life, have very little to do with their roles. Debbie Harry shines as Ann's mother, a lonely embittered woman who has only ever been disappointed by life. Alfred Molina also manages to impress in his one scene as Ann's jailed father.
Produced by Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodovar, My Life Without Me has philosophical musings, quirky characters, a great soundtrack and even a dance sequence, but lacks the charm to seduce and move the viewer. The film tries so hard to be profound that the pseudo-poetic dialogue ends up feeling pretentious and the voiceover contrived.
It is difficult to understand why a devoted mother with such a great husband would complicate the last two months of her life by having an affair with a complete stranger even if he is played by Ruffalo. It is even harder to fathom Ann's response to her own death. When she is told by her doctor (who cannot even look her in the eye) that she is going to die, she reacts by asking for a piece of candy. Ann takes the news with a stoic calmness, deciding to spare her family by telling them it is anaemia. Not once does she express any anger, bitterness or grief. The story goes on to fall neatly into place and apart from the odd stomachache, the film glosses over the reality of Ann's physical suffering.
Coixet attempts to inject an undercurrent of eccentricity by introducing characters such as Amanda Plummer (a friend of Ann's who is fixated with food) and Maria de Mederios (a Milli Vanilli obsessed hairdresser). But they seem to belong to an entirely different film altogether, and by the end the only tears that you'll be shedding will be over the talent which has gone to waste.
Reader comments about My Life Without Me
Miquel (Email address withheld) writes:
Wonderful, delicious! And a great pleasure for a Spanish man like me to see that Spanish people are able to make that sort of films, to be sold in Anglo-Saxon country. I'm proud of that sort of products, which show the best of us!!!
Claudio Escobosa (claudioescobosa_serrano@hotmail.com) writes:
Could you tell me the name of the songs in the picture "My Life without me". i haven't find the soundtrack.
Thank You
Patrizia (Patrizia817@Qwest.net) writes:
A very real movie. I enjoyed it very much. I would love to know where I can get the song that's played in the end, "sometime Later" by Alpha. I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know if there's a soundtrack available or where I can get this song from?
Thank you
Pinkpunk (pynkpink@yahoo.co.uk) writes:
Excellent and emotional with - with a real meaning behind each word each image.
Please let me know if you find the sountrack
thanks
Josh (joshrivers222@hotmail.com) writes:
I've been searching all day for that awesome soundtrack and I haven't found ANYTHING yet. I'm so bummed. I want to download that song that Lee played by Blossom Dearie and I don't know wha it's called. The movie was great, but the soundtrack was FANTASTIC!
Josh
Tara (tms1030@hotmail.com) writes:
Where can I find the soundtrack for this movie or Where can I find the list of music that was played in this movie????
Katherine (kcbai@yahoo.com) writes:
Does anyone know where I can get the soundtrack for this movie? I love the movie, and I love the music in this movice, too.
Betsy (Email address withheld) writes:
For Josh
The title of the song by Blossom Dearie is "Try your wings"
jonathan (wanche78@yahoo.com) writes:
the soundtrack is on the site "zona de compra" and it cost 8$(euros) also el corte ingles (21 euros)
ah and there r 2 cds one by bilallonga (JUST MUSIC)and the other one is the real OST.
lo pueden pillar en las sites de arriba,suerte!
shannon (cutencrazy416@aol.com) writes:
does anyone know the name of the song that the character Anne sings to her husband a couple times in the movie?
kara (Email address withheld) writes:
to shannon: the name of the song is "God only knows" by either the beach boys or brian wilson
K. Pierce (Email address withheld) writes:
One song played at the end of the movie
is an awesome thing called Senza
Fine by Gino Paoli--whoever did the
selection of the soundtrack for this film
is a genius--just wish it were available
to the public!!
Kierra (creativa@aya.yale.edu) writes:
I too am looking for the soundtrack here in the states. Is it available?
Maddie (Email address withheld) writes:
Is the song that the words start "Take my hand" is it Senza Fine by Gino Paoli. It plays at the end of the movie and when she's around Mark Ruffallo. That tune is awesome.
daisy (daisyweeds@yahoo.com) writes:
I'm looking for the soundtrack too. wow, it's a pity that they didn't make one. the music is almost better than the movie itself. at the very least, it speaks very strongly for itself. please let me know if anyone has compiled a soundtrack or if anyone finds one.
Olle (banolli@hotmail.com) writes:
Here´s a list of all the songs in the movie. You can order the cd from amazon.de or from some spanish cd-sites.
The first 15 songs by Alfonso de Vilallonga
Track listing:
1.Glass
2.Orientale
3.More Candy
4.Espresso Machine
5.Rather Always
6.Unfurnished
7.Thinking About Me
8.Carromato
9.Siamese
10.Rather
11.Don't Miss School
12.Never Complain
13.Final Kiss
14.I pray
15.I Love dancing with you
16.Humans like you - performed by Chop 17.Suey
18.Sometime later - performed by Alpha
19.Qué emoción - performed by Omara Portuondo
20.God only knows - performed by The 21.Langley School Project
22.Try your wings - performed by The Blossom Dearie
23.Senza fine - performed by Gino Paoli
ericka (patyto_thatsme@hotmail.com) writes:
I´d like to know if somebody could tell me the name of the song that is played at the beginning and at the end of the movie it is really beautiful if someone knows send me an e mail please
thanks a lot =)
Lisa (Email address withheld) writes:
The song that begins "Take my hand" is by Alpha and can be found on their album Come From Heaven. It's called Sometime Later
Tania (tania_zamudio@yahoo.com.mx) writes:
Exelente film y concuerdo con las demàs opiniones acerca del sondtrack y AMO a MARK RUFFALO
Sándor (scsoknya@freemail.hu) writes:
Please Anybody!
Tell me, where can i find the soundtrack of this beautiful film? Should i download from internet? I live in Hungary and i can't find at the shops!
Simon Powell (simonjamespowell@yahoo.co.uk) writes:
How frustrating! I have been leaving the title sequence on the DVD playing over and over again..It appears they didnt make a soundtrack to this film. Did anyone end up buying anything by the individual artists and was it worth it?
Erica Bowes (boberica@cogeco.ca) writes:
I loved this movie, and like everyone else it seems, i loved the song that was played in the credits!! thank for the info because i couldn't find it anywhere and the writting in the credits was too messy to read..
billy (Email address withheld) writes:
WOW this was an amazing movie that really moved me and yes like all of you and your wonderful taste i also loved the music it is delicate and captivating and strongly compliments the movie itself...congratulations to everyone involved in making the movie and a big pat on the back for all those who saw it and loved it!!! you know your stuff
flora (cthomas52@austin.rr.com) writes:
I love this film so much I guess I've seen it at least 10 times. And I agree that a soundtrack is definitely needed!
But meanwhile, you can download Blossom Dearie's song "Try Your Wings" from MSN music for 99 cents. Here's the website. http://beta.music.msn.com/. Since then I've bught two Blossom Dearie albums; "Give Him the Ooh-la-la" (which includes "Try Your Wings") and "Blosssom Dearie", both from Verve Records.
I HOPE I've just ordered the version of "Senza Fine" by Gino Paoli used in this film, but I won't know for sure until it arrives in the mail from Amazon.com. The album I ordered is "Per Una Storia" by Gino Paoli.
Deone (eaps@mweb.co.za) writes:
Please help just wanted to know, when her and lee are sitting in the car, he put on the radio, when she ask who's singing he says her name and that she is an 83 yrs old women. Any idea's who she is... PLEASEEEEEEEE
Empha (emphamannequin@hotmail.com) writes:
I am quite fond of this flim, & extremely & amazingly inlove with the soundtrack, & I can't find all of the songs I only found about 5. could anyone add me on msn & send me some if they have any.
Thank you.
Tru (TruDilight2@aol.com) writes:
I love this movie and the soundtrack. Thanks all of you who knoew the songs and artists and shared them.
Ronie (ronie_d7@hotmail.com) writes:
I have just discovered the film. I need to have the soundtrack! Can anybody help me? Send me a copy or let me know where I can get the tracks from the film? Thank you!
Noof (ka_dom@host.kz) writes:
This film is so good. Its so close to me in the main mood. pooor. great work! great actors(g&b)! soundtracks are great too! i love this one... with female vocal, smthn jazzy, very slow ritm... u can listen its at begining or at middle of this movie (cant remember). :)
Zanti (jozee_07@yahoo.com.au) writes:
I just watched the movie yesterday and yes, it is so moving yet so human at the same time. I need the soundtrack for this movie. Can anyone help?
Lolo (Email address withheld) writes:
I've just ordered the soundtrack on www.amazon.de. I think there's only one left, but it's also available from amazon.com.
StuckonEarth (Email address withheld) writes:
The soundtrack can be found under the spanish name Mi vida sin mi
the song she sings in the film is
God only knows - by the beach boys ... but the version used in the film is done my the Langly schools music project
Alix (baylealix@hotmail.com) writes:
God, I finally found the tracks' names!
The compositor is actually Alfonso De Vilallonga and the CD is to be found under its spanish name (B.S.O Mi vida sin mi) at http://www.elcorteingles.es/ .
Enjoy!
susannah (susiemayhilton@hotmail.com) writes:
for shannon
"god only knows" the beach boys
Lia (lia0511@gmail.com) writes:
i loved this movie..it really made me thought a little more about life and how to live it.we never pay atentions to the simple wonders that may surround us ,and loose the best part of being alive:enjoy lots of moments.
the soundtrack is also spetacular,but i can't download most of the songs..i would be glad if someone could send me some or any other help.
Jana (janalisboa@hotmail.com) writes:
"Millie Vanillies everywhere"
How come a 23 years old girl, who is mother to two little girls, dicovers she is going to die, is such a sad theme and they make a such beautiful story?
Because it is real. I can't say I'd do the same if I was Ann, we can define anything unless you are in the exactly situation, but she does it real, as every other girl in her humd-rum life would do.
If anyone knows more fimls like that the sugggetion to me would be very much appreciated.
Take care,
Jana
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